Government of Canada Announces Request for Proposals for the Integrated Soldier System Project

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - April 2, 2013) - Public Works and Government Services Canada has issued a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to acquire integrated suites of cutting-edge equipment under the Integrated Soldier System Project.

The Government of Canada is launching a new solicitation for the procurement of an integrated soldier system. A draft RFP was issued on February 15, 2013, an industry day was held on March 5, continued engagement took place during the month of March, and now the formal RFP has been issued. It will close on August 1, 2013.

On January 25, 2013, the Government of Canada issued a statement indicating that the Integrated Soldier System Project solicitation was cancelled because no compliant bids were received in response to the RFP, which was launched in February 2012 and closed in June 2012, to procure equipment and in-service support. Normal procedures call for the cancellation of the solicitation in such cases. An independent fairness monitor, engaged for the duration of this procurement, has provided advice, including how best to handle non-compliant bid elements. He also agreed that all previous bids on the original RFP were non-compliant.

The Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy, which applies to this procurement, will ensure that the winning contractor creates economic benefits in Canada equal to 100 per cent of the contract value. For further information on the IRB Policy, please visit www.ic.gc.ca/irb.

The Integrated Soldier System Project will provide soldiers with an integrated suite of equipment that includes weapon accessories, electronic devices, sensors, individual equipment and operational clothing. The different elements will be networked and will work seamlessly together, giving soldiers more comprehensive situational awareness, real-time tactical information and an increased ability to synchronize activity.

The RFP is to acquire up to 6,624 integrated suites of cutting-edge equipment under the Integrated Soldier System Project over four years. The RFP includes a requirement for up to 11 years of associated in-service support.

The RFP, released by Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of the Department of National Defence, appears on Canada's public tendering service, known as MERX (www.merx.com).